Open house showcases CTC student-built home
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — The new house at 2214 Tavenner Avenue isn't quite the average home.
It is a home that Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center students built for county citizens with significant developmental disabilities.
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"I feel great, knowing that I helped someone out," said CTC senior Brian Brickman, 17, at an open house for the home Wednesday, May 14.
Brickman, who is thinking about pursuing a career in carpentry, said he also helped himself because of the hands-on learning that came with the completion of the 1,800-square foot home, which is wheelchair accessible.
Construction of the home that includes extra large bathrooms with roll-in showers, bedrooms with large doorways, and an open kitchen with lower counter tops was also a learning experience for Lester Sigmon, 18, who wants to spend his career building pole barns.
Under the tutelage of construction trade instructor Ric Howard, a total of 12 seniors finished the home over the course of the school year.
"The kids got a lot more out of knowing what it's going to be used for," Howard said.
CTC's collaboration with the county's Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities led to the home's construction, which is the second project of its kind on the block.
Students built the identical home next door last year for the Housing Connection of Clark County, Howard said.
MRDD Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Rousculp said the neighborhood has been welcoming residents with special needs.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.
